How Cortana Is Created In Halo: Origin & Flash Cloning Explained
This article contains spoilers for Halo episode 2.
The AI named Cortana is one of the most important characters in Halo, and the TV show is adapting her creation in a remarkably faithful way. When gamers were introduced to the Master Chief back in 2001's Halo: Combat Evolved, he essentially came as part of a package deal; an artificial intelligence named Cortana was plugged into his systems, serving as a crucial adviser and an asset as he explored an ancient Halo Ring. Over the years, Cortana would develop into a three-dimensional character in her own right — although she wouldn't remain an ally for the Master Chief.
Cortana is an incredibly intelligent smart AI, whose data chip can be transferred between different systems — meaning she can pilot a starship, cooperate with John-117's Mjolnir armor, infiltrate a Covenant network, or even get plugged into Forerunner networks. Like all smart AIs, in the main Halo timeline Cortana has a limited lifespan before her coding begins to break down and she goes insane — a fate referred to as "rampancy." Sadly, Cortana's rampancy is accelerated by the sheer amount of data she absorbs from interaction with Covenant and Forerunner technology.
Related: Halo Corrects A Cortana Line That Made No Sense In Combat Evolved
Cortana is as important a character to Halo as the Master Chief himself. She's yet to really make her presence felt in Paramount+'s Halo TV series, though, because season 1 feels like something of an origin story; Dr. Halsey is still conducting illegal and unethical experiments that will ultimately lead to Cortana's creation. But, although Dr. Halsey's process seems remarkably faithful to the original canon, there are hints this version of Cortana will be a little
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